Assistant Scientist - Postdoctoral Associates

University of Miami; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Tuition remission

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

A leading university in biomedical research is seeking a Full Time Assistant Scientist to work onsite in Miami, FL. This role focuses on cancer research, particularly in experimental Neuro-Oncology. Ideal candidates should have a PhD and a minimum of one year of relevant experience. Responsibilities include performing complex experimental techniques, conducting animal surgeries, and publishing research findings. The position offers competitive salaries with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience required.
• Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform bench work involving various experimental techniques.
• Conduct surgeries and monitor animal health for intracranial tumor models.
• Prepare reports analyzing collected data and recommending conclusions.
• Review literature to inform experimental design and development.
• Acquire equipment and supplies for projects.
• Ensure compliance with university policies.

Skills

Learning Agility

Teamwork

Technical Proficiency

Communication

Education

Doctoral degree – Philosophy (PhD)

Tools

Office software

Job description

Assistant Scientist in Biomedical Science (cancer research)

The University of Miami/UHealth Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has an exciting opportunity for a Full Time Assistant Scientist to work onsite at the UHealth campus in Miami, FL. The Laboratories of Dr. Anna Lasorella and Dr. Antonio Iavarone are seeking two postdoctoral associates to join our research program in experimental Neuro‑Oncology. Our studies focus on the molecular genetics and biology of brain tumors, emphasizing the characterization and therapeutic targeting of driver mutations involved in the pathogenesis and progression of malignant brain tumors. We use a diverse combination of experimental approaches, including next‑generation DNA/RNA sequencing, single‑cell RNA and ATAC sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics. We model malignant glioma using patient‑derived organoids, xenografts, and engineered mouse brain tumor models to understand tumor biology and design rational therapeutic strategies. The labs are also a dynamic environment in which bench work and computational/systems biology intersect to facilitate biological research and identify new avenues to understand the complexity of brain cancer.

Requirements

• Medical degree or Doctoral degree and life science research experience.
• Technical aptitude for learning and executing complex experimental techniques for molecular biology, cell‑based assays, single‑cell assays, and rodent procedures.
• Impeccable experimental documentation and organized record‑keeping skills.
• Ability to effectively work independently and in a team environment in a fast‑paced lab, under significant pressure and with tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform bench work involving protein biochemistry, DNA/RNA sequencing, single‑cell RNA and ATAC sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, mammalian cell culture, and cell‑based assays of tumor cell growth and response to therapeutic agents.
• Conduct mouse surgeries and subsequent animal health monitoring for intracranial tumor models.
• Evaluate and interpret collected data and prepare reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends, and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Review scientific literature to follow new developments and obtain information regarding previous experiments to aid in the design and development of original procedures and techniques.
• Independently write and submit, with appropriate mentorship, postdoctoral fellowship grants.
• Communicate scientific results to colleagues, mentors, and the broader scientific community.

Key Publications and Research Highlights

• Lee SB et al. “An ID2‑dependent mechanism for VHL inactivation in cancer.” Nature, 529:172‑177, 2016.
• Frattini V et al. “A metabolic function of FGFR3‑TACC3 gene fusions in cancer.” Nature, 553:222‑227, 2018.
• Ko A et al. “LZTR1 mutation mediates oncogenesis through stabilization of EGFR and AXL.” Cancer Discovery, 13:702‑723, 2023.
• Garofano L et al. “Pathway‑based classification of glioblastoma uncovers a mitochondrial subtype with therapeutic vulnerabilities.” Nature Cancer, Feb;2(2):141‑156, 2021.
• Migliozzi S et al. “Integrative multi‑omics networks identify PKCδ and DNA‑PK as master kinases of glioblastoma subtypes and guide targeted cancer therapy.” Nature Cancer, 4:181‑202, 2023.
• Migliozzi S et al. “Restraint of cancer cell plasticity by spatial homotypic clustering.” Cancer Cell, 43:2206‑2223, 2025.

Core Job Summary

The Assistant Scientist, SOM carries out a particular research agenda in support of the University’s research goals and objectives. Moreover, the Assistant Scientist, SOM contributes to the scientific community by publishing research findings and promotes the University’s reputation as a leader in the field.

Core Job Functions

• Contributes to basic and applied research activities and authors scientific publications, technical and agency reports, and patent preparations.
• Collaborates with senior staff to publish findings in refereed journals.
• Creates and conducts experiments and analyzes results.
• Works with other researchers to use and develop end products.
• Writes extramural proposals with approval from appropriate senior staff.
• Provides ready access to all experimental data for managing staff.
• Requests or acquires equipment and supplies for assigned projects.
• Uses the internet, surveys, legal documents, and other available sources to collect information.
• Applies for grants to continue research and prepares materials for submission to granting agencies and foundations.
• Adheres to University and unit‑level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Core Qualifications

Education: Doctoral degree – Philosophy (PhD) required.

Experience: Minimum 1 year of relevant experience required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth‑University of Miami Health System, South Florida’s only university‑based health system, provides leading‑edge patient care powered by the groundbreaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub‑specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We’re the challenge you’ve been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status: Full time
Employee Type: Staff